In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for misdemeanors and violations requires charges to be initiated within what period?

• A. Within one year from the day the offense was completed
• B. Two years
• C. No time limit
• D. Five years

Answer: (A)

The main concept is that statutes of limitations set a time limit for bringing criminal charges, and for misdemeanors and violations in Kentucky that limit is short.

For these offenses, charges must be initiated within one year from the day the offense was completed. This means prosecutors need to file charges within that one-year window after the last act that constitutes the crime; otherwise the charges are typically barred.

This shorter period reflects the relatively less severe nature of misdemeanors and violations compared with felonies, which have longer time limits. For example, if a misdemeanor theft is completed on January 1, 2024, charges should be started by January 1, 2025.